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Christmas doesn't mean you have to stay home | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper

Posted on: Saturday, December 25, 2004

Christmas doesn't mean you have to stay home

Advertiser Staff

The gifts are open, we've stuffed ourselves with Christmas cookies and milk, and the next gigantic meal isn't for another few hours ... oh, what to do, what to do on this Christmas Day?

Roll 'em

"Fat Albert" is a Bill Cosby-inspired flick with Kenan Thompson, above center, in the title role.

Darren Michaels  Associated Press

Movie theaters are appealing to all tastes this weekend, offering films with big Oscar buzz and others for kids or horror fans. Opening today are:

• "The Aviator," starring Leonardo DiCaprio as playboy/director/aviator Howard Hughes. DiCaprio has garnered generally positive reviews for his portrayal; Cate Blanchett, as Katharine Hepburn, has received even warmer notices.

• "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou," with Bill Murray in an offbeat sea adventure. Directed by Wes Anderson, of "The Royal Tenenbaums" fame, this film is showing up on some critics' 2004 top 10 lists, but it's also being torpedoed by others.

Also, "A Very Long Engagement," starring Audrey "Amelie" Tautou, opened this week. This French film, set in World War I, has appeared on some critics' top-10 lists, too.

Other movies most movie critics enjoyed include "Closer," "Finding Neverland," "The House of Flying Daggers," "Sideways" and "Spanglish."

On stage

"Stomp!," an acclaimed percussion show with music created from the oddest of common items, is on stage at the Hawai'i Theatre.

"Stomp!," the acclaimed percussion show, is continuing a run at the Hawai'i Theatre. If you're ready for a high-energy performance in which music is created from the oddest items, this is the show for you. It begins at 8 tonight. Tickets are $30-$50; discounts for seniors, students and military. 528-0506.

Still the season

A family of giant snowpersons greets folks outside Honolulu Hale.

Andrew Shimabuku • The Honolulu Advertiser

Rain or no rain, head for the Honolulu City Lights displays downtown to keep that holiday spirit intact.

Outside Honolulu Hale (City Hall), Santa and Tutu Mele welcome all to join in the merriment. Inside Honolulu Hale are Christmas tree displays and a wreath exhibit. There's music, too: Mrs. Santa is scheduled to play her harp at 5 p.m. today in the courtyard.

Bring a camera: Pose the family in front of the oversized elves, the snow family, the Mele Kalikimaka blocks or the new pop-up cards for next year's Christmas card.

Admission is free, and the Lights continue through Jan. 2.

Gotta shop

If the shopping bug still has you in its grip, head for Waikiki, where the stores are open on this holiday. The shopping malls, with the exception of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center in Waikiki, are closed.

On TV

Oh, all right, if you're inclined to recline in the living room, feast your eyes on the holiday programming that runs the gamut:

• "Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade": After all the gifts have been opened, here's a program suitable for viewing for the whole family. 1 p.m. ABC.

• "Emme's Christmas Island Moments": Emme Tomimbang celebrates the season and 10 years of television specials. This show includes performances by Island favorites Willie K., Hapa, Pauline Wilson, Jordan Segundo, The Makaha Sons and Melveen Leed. There's also an appearance by the Voices of Praise gospel choir from the City of Refuge Christian Church in Waipahu. 4 p.m. KHON, 8 p.m. PBS.

• "The Sound of Music": The classic 1965 musical starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer is the tale of an unworldly governess who comes to care for a no-nonsense navy captain and his children in pre-World War II Austria. It's based on the story of the Trapp Family Singers. 7 p.m. ABC.

• "It Happened One Night": Movie buffs might want to tune in to this 1934 comedy directed by Frank Capra. Clark Gable stars as a reporter on the trail of a runaway heiress (Claudette Colbert). 7:15 p.m. TCM.